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Tripoli - The Libyan navy moved on Monday to stop a North Korean ship from leaving a rebel-held port loaded with oil, as the US accused the separatists of theft and warned any buyers could face sanctions.

Navy ships were deployed to block the "Morning Glory" from leaving port, after Culture Minister Amin al-Habib said on Sunday the tanker would be "turned into a pile of metal" if it tried to set sail with its cargo.

The defence ministry has also deployed the air force to "deal with the tanker", the official Lana news agency reported.

The United States said it was "deeply concerned" over the loading of the "illicitly obtained" oil.

"This action is counter to law and amounts to theft from the Libyan people," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

"The oil belongs to the Libyan National Oil Company and its joint venture partners," Psaki said, noting the partners include US companies.

"Any oil sales without authorisation from these parties places purchasers at risk of exposure to civil liability, penalties and other possible sanctions in multiple jurisdictions."

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